Android 16 is recycling the same Easter egg from Android 15, which is also the same one from Android 14. But with its latest release, Google has added a new “autopilot” mode to the space-themed Easter egg which integrates with Android 16’s Live Update feature.
The space-themed Easter egg in the past few versions of Android has given users control over a spaceship. Dragging your finger on the touchscreen adjusts the direction and speed of the ship, with coordinates in the corner and the chance of finding planets along your flight and, if you land on them, you’ll plant a flag. The Easter egg launched in Android 14 and was used again in Android 15 (with the addition of the flags), but Google is making some changes this time around.
In Android 16 Beta 3, Google has updated the Easter egg with a new “autopilot” function. This runs the ship on its own as it goes off and finds planets. You can leave this to run in the background and monitor progress through a notification that uses Google’s new Live Updates format.
Live Updates don’t appear to be fully complete at this point, so it stands to reason that this Easter egg might look different upon Android 16’s final release.
In any case, it’s a fun new addition to the Easter egg, though we do hope there’s a bit more to come seeing as this is the third release in a row with the same minigame inside.
More on Android 16:
- Android 16 Beta 3 offers a brand new way to close apps, just in case you can’t swipe
- Android 16 Beta adds Pixel Battery health
- Here’s everything new in Android 16 Beta 3 [Gallery]
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